5 Ways the Cloud Will Change in 2012

“In 2011, cloud computing demonstrated that it was a major driver of change in the IT industry. Organizations of all types and sizes began using the hybrid cloud — a combination of public and private cloud computing — in earnest. What can we look forward to in 2012?”

As the New Year approaches and people begin to make (or in some cases, break) their resolutions, it is a good time for individuals to look back at the past year and try to predict and anticipate changes within their industry.

Matthew Lodge, a Senior Director in VMware's Cloud Services, answers this question in an article posted by Forbes and CNN.  Before you read the whole article, we took the time to summarize the main ideas:

• The hybrid cloud will continue to grow.
• More web developers will embrace PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service).
• There will be more major outages and each one will drive awareness of differences in service quality.
• The private cloud will grow bigger instead of go away.  
• Organizations will continue to assume that private clouds have impenetrable security protections.   

A new year's is about anticipating and making predictions.  We thank Mr. Lodge and our partner VMware for being bold enough to make one here, and invite you to read the entire article here!

The IS Support 2012 Technology Wish List

Our 2012 Wish List


2011 was another booming year for technology.  As we usher in a brand new year, there are a few things that the people at IS Support would like to see change in the technology world that would make our lives easier, efficient and we've listed them in our blog.

1.  Electronic Receipts.

It's hard enough to keep track of anything paper, especially important receipts.  If online shopping has this down, why are so few retailers churning out small pieces of paper that winds up lost, trashed or in the bottom of a laundry bin.



Kudos to Office Depot, Wal-Mart and Lowe's for beginning to embrace the concept but for most retailers, a paper receipt just isn't there when you need it the most.

2.  No More Patent Wars.

How much have the Apple iOS and the Google Android battle cost?  Countless other intellectual property and patent lawsuits costs at least $3 million each.  In the past, such lawsuits are settled by cross-licensing, shipping delays and royalty payments which all need to be arranged by courts and lawyers.  Keep this in mind for 2012 and let's make some progress on these battles.

3.  Digital Wallets.

Google and Paypal have introduced effective e-pay products, but what would really be useful in day-to-day living is a digital wallet that really works.  Imagine this concept on vending machines, transportation, retailers or parking meters; it would also be effective at building loyalty programs!


4.  Check Scanning Apps

Yes, there are some banks that have this feature...but not enough.  The ability to scan checks and deposit them over the Internet without visiting an ATM or bank branch would be even more convenient.  However, many banks are lagging.  They should embrace this green concept that can take banking into the 21st century.

 5.  No Subscription Fees.

Not many things are more frustrating than putting down several hundred dollars for major purchases such as a door lock, or web thermostat and then pay a subscription fee to use it.  There are more effective ways at using our dollars.

6.  Modernize Airplanes and FAA Policies.

Hey, we all know that it's important to turn off your phones and electronics during take-off and landing.  Does anyone know exactly why?  There is probably a good reason, but why can pilots suddenly use iPads in the cockpit but passengers can't listen to their iPods?  That doesn't make much sense -- and neither does the lack of electrical outlets and WiFi on planes.  It's almost 2012, airplanes!


Now that we've revealed our list, share some things that you would like to see from the technology world for the New Year!

If you ever need to contact us regarding your technology for 2012, give us a call at 866-370-7142 or visit our website here.  


From everyone at IS Support, we wish all a Happy New Year!

Houston Texans and Cloud Computing: Playoff Edition

2011 Houston Texans: AFC South Champions

A couple of months ago, we decided it would be fun to use our hometown Houston Texans football team to use a fun (but very poor) analogy to how cloud computing works and how the Texans could use cloud computing principles to help their season.  We drafted a blog post, thought it might be funny, and posted it here.

It was a hit!  So now that the Texans have clinched their first ever playoff berth and an AFC South title, we thought it would be fitting to see how well they followed our advice, and tips they can use going into the playoffs with the IS Blog's edition of "Houston Texans and Cloud Computing: Playoff Edition."  Congrats to the Houston Texans, 2011 AFC South Champions!

1.  Reduced Costs

Since cloud computing reduces overall IT costs, with a pay-as-you-go scale, we suggested that the Texans use their salary space wisely.  While some high paid players have disappointed, Houston's rushing game is led by running backs Arian Foster ($525,000) and Ben Tate ($405,000).  They're probably due for a raise, but this year, there might not be a better bang for the buck and the duo has played a major factor in Houston's offense.

2. Disaster Recovery

When we last talked about the Texans and the cloud, we stressed the importance of disaster recovery.  It is much more secure to have critical data in the cloud, rather than an on-site server where hurricanes and fires can wreck a business and cause loss of important information and business productivity.


On the field, the Texans were facing the loss of star linebacker Mario Williams for the season and receiver Andre Johnson was hurt.  Since then, thing haven't gotten any better with both starting quarterback Matt Schaub AND his backup Matt Leinart hurt for the year.  It seems as though the Texans took our advice to heart.  Not only did they have serviceable back up plans for Williams and Johnson (Connor Barwin has stepped up his game to a Pro-Bowl level at LB; tight ends Joel Dressen and Owen Daniels also picked up their play)  but the story of the year might be T.J. Yates.

The rookie QB has only gone undefeated in three starts, including leading the team to a come-from-behind victory in Cincinnati last Sunday, throwing a TD pass with two seconds left to clinch the Texans first playoff berth ever!  Now that's what we call a great disaster recovery game plan.

3. Remote Access and Mobility

The business environment has changed; it is imperative now that employees and clients have access to information and files away from the traditional desktop.  Cloud computing allows the mobility for today's worker to be effective and efficient away by accessing what they need from home, away from the office, and even mobile phones.

In October, we suggested that the Texans could use better mobility since they were currently just 14-29 as a road team under coach Gary Kubiak.  Since then?  The Texans have only won four straight games away from Reliant Stadium and with their only other road game left against winless rival Indianapolis, the Texans could very well make it five in a row and claim that for the 2011 season, they were able to "get the job done" away from home.

All things aside though, we should give credit where credit is due.  It's been a great football season in Houston this year.  And we're not suggesting that the Houston Texans read the IS Blog or Coach Kubiak listened to our advice when we posted the first "Houston Texans and Cloud Computing" blog.  But is it a coincidence that when we posted that blog in October, the Texans have won six straight?  We're just saying....

And as always, if your business is interested in making cloud principles work for your company like the Texans, give one of our professional consultants a call or e-mail us at info@issupport.com.  You can also visit our website anytime of the day!


Congratulations from IS Support to our hometown Houston Texans, 2011 AFC South Champions!  

GUEST BLOG: "A Look Back to 2011 On Cloud Computing

A great blog post by Rick Blaisedell from Enterprise CIO, takes a look back on the year of Cloud Computing! [check out the original post here]

"Here we are, at that time of the year when we look back and analyze how things went, decide what should be improved and hoping for the best in the following year. Looking back to 2011, from a professional perspective, I find it easy to say that this was a good year for cloud computing. Let’s take a look to the highlights of 2011:

• I decided to begin with the news that, in my opinion, set the tone for the whole year: the Gartner study which proclaimed cloud computing as a Top Technology Priority for CIOs in 2011. This subject it’s further analyzed in one of my first articles: Why is Cloud Computing a Safe Bet for the Future?

• In 2011 the business benefits of a cloud computing model have been very well stated. A Cloud.com Survey revealed that hardware savings are the most popular reason for using cloud-based storage and using Platform-as-a Service. Also, 12% of IT professionals indicated their preference to run their infrastructure on public clouds. Here are some additional reads if you want to know more about cloud computing benefits: How Much You Can Save On Your Cloud Computing Implementation?, Cloud Computing: Business Model or Technology? and About Private or Shared Cloud and Everything in Between.

• From the same Cloud.com survey, in 2011 Chief Technical Officers indicated scalability (71%) as the most popular reason for adopting cloud computing, followed by elasticity (61%), or the need to adjust to fluctuations in resource demands (61%).  In my article Evolution and Revolution with Cisco Data Centre Fabric. Í have talked about how Cisco rose to these challenges.

• This year, cloud computing technology offered us a sneak peak at the changes it produces for the IT world. Software development in Cloud is making the platforms more customizable, the need for IT support staff is reduced and new skills and specialties are in high demand. One of the highpoints of the year was the Chromebook being released in May 2011, the first computer that operates entirely in the cloud.

• The fears concerning security issues were the biggest challenge in 2011, especially because of the lack of trust companies have on an organization hosting their data. But I believe, this obstacle will be overcome and little by little, we will see IT professionals becoming more trustful concerning outsourcing data as they gain knowledge about cloud computing technology. The proof? Even if the biggest management challenge for cloud computing users was security (36%), most IT professionals prefer to deploy their infrastructure using virtualization (77%).

• Last, but not least, in 2011, a very important benefit of cloud computing began to get noticed. In a world that should be more eco-friendly, cloud computing proves great green credentials. So besides asking about financial advantages, we should also ask Why is Cloud Computing Green?

I hope this article offers you a broad look on how the cloud computing market developed in 2011 and demonstrates the gains and the obstacles that still need to be overcome.  There are many other insights to add, so please feel free to comment on what you thought was important for cloud computing this past year."

~ Rick Blaisedell

A guest blog from Enterprise CIO Forum.

5 Ways You're Already Using the Cloud

If you run a Google search for "cloud computing," 173 million results with appear with various definitions, references and blogs.  Judging by the number of explanations and the variety of definitions online, cloud computing can be a difficult concept to understand. Perhaps the best way, though, is realizing that most of us are using cloud computing concepts every day and have been for some time.

1. Webmail

Using webmail applications like Yahoo and Gmail is a good demonstration of cloud computing. Webmail is  accessible from any machine, anywhere. This is made possible by the software which runs the application; these programs are held online. The files holding the individual messages are not on a computer but in the 'cloud'.


There are pros and cons.  Being online is the primary key to accessibility. If there is no internet, there is no way to work in the email application instead of a program like outlook.  As the digital age continues to expand, however, this is becoming less of a concern with internet accessibility practically anywhere from WiFi hotspots to mobile phones.

2. Google Docs

Google Docs and other collaboration tools allow files to be stored in a central location and the ability to share them with other users. Again, remote access is a major benefit to Google Docs; there is access to software such as a word processor and spreadsheet which doesn't need to be on a desktop . This is how cloud computing works.

3. Backup and File Storage Social Media

Utilizing online providers for backing up systems and storing copies of files is also using cloud computing. Instead having to remember to backup files or going through the expense of an automatic system, users can connect to a central provider of backup and storage services. As with the others, there are also pros and cons. However, one massive pro is that backing up data in the cloud is independent of your hardware. If the hardware fails (one of the main reasons to backup) the data is still safe in the cloud.

4. Social Media

The explosive popularity of social media sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook provide another demonstration of daily use of cloud computing. Public and private messaging, photo sharing, playing games, polling and access to a whole range of plug-in applications allow companies to develop their page. It's worth noticing one more benefit of cloud computing with social media.


Much of the usage of sites like Facebook and Twitter does not take place on a computer. Mobile phones, games machines and even televisions have Internet browsers and can access processing power, software and storage in the cloud.

5. Online Photo and Video Sharing

Websites such as Flickr, Vimeo and YouTube allow users to upload and share photos and videos. YouTube alone gets more than 2 billion views per day. That's about double the prime-time audience of all three major US television networks combined.


While Cloud Computing can be difficult to define, these examples can provide simple demonstrations to show that the cloud is being utilized in everyday online activity.  While remote access, scalability and other benefits can improve our daily lives, more and more businesses are migrating to the cloud to take even more advantages of the cloud to improve and expand.


If your company is interested in a free network assessment to see how you can directly benefit from IS Support's cloud services, we would love to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-370-7142, send us an e-mail or visit our website!

Is the Cloud Secure?

The booming popularity of cloud computing continues to increase and change the way the world can interact with and manage data, but as this new technology emerges, so do questions about security and reliability.



Many providers utilize the cloud to manage their large networks.  While the benefits of relatively inexpensive purchasing space in terms of cloud storage and distribution has attracted many users, recent outages along the with uncertainty of having information shared across multiple servers can cause concern for many companies.

With the growing number of businesses and organizations switching to cloud computing for their daily Internet needs, it becomes increasingly important for providers to answer the lingering question for many users considering migration: is the technology secure enough to handle sensitive information?

The simple answer is yes: cloud computing is just as secure, if not more secure, as standard computing and hosting. Unfortunately, despite billions of daily cloud transactions, coverage often focuses on the minuscule examples where something goes wrong.  Like Amazon and Google outage, this negative coverage can send users into a panic about their data.

However, it is important to note that while outages do occur, they are usually not any more significant than a traditional outage. The data has not been "hacked," and the outage does not mean that  information was lost.

Many cloud providers will also take additional measures to enhance cloud security. Their policies and even physical security on site are much tighter than traditional hosting platforms, with workers actively monitoring how the network is performing and taking immediate action when a potential intrusion is detected.

Another major difference between cloud computing and traditional computing is that most traditional hosts offer nightly backups. If problems occur, the latest backup is from the night before. Cloud computing is designed to back up after each transaction, instantly. Should something fail within the service, the last backup was only moments before the last transaction. For problems that exist inside the cloud, a single fix can instantly alleviate any problems experienced by consumers.

The future of data storage online is most certainly cloud computing, as it provides instant access to data under a heavy load and redundant backups for when a potential fail should happen. The security measures that go into protecting this future will only become more stringent as time goes on, so if you are considering migrating to the cloud, hopefully this post gives you a peace of mind.

If you're still unsure or would like to speak with one of IS Support's cloud consultants, in-depth, please contact us at anytime at 866-370-7142 or visit our website.

We'd love to give your company all the benefits of cloud computing while simultaneously providing peace of mind that your networks are secure.  

Cloud Computing and Disaster Recovery

If you've followed our blog or simply follow technology, you've likely heard about the Cloud.    While most businesses are drawn to the flexibility, scalability, lower costs, and simplicity which the on-demand model provides, there enough unknowns about the cloud to raise questions about security, with just enough headline-making outages to put up red flags about stability.   

When isolated incidents occur such as Amazon’s twin outages this past summer, it increases the concerns about the cloud many customers share.

However, for countless businesses, the cloud does work.  Millions utilize the cloud everyday to streamline communications, increase productivity, and cut costs.  Any concerns about reliability and security are easily drowned by the cloud model's ease of use, quick provisioning, and attractive pricing.  Still, organizations remain cautious about what kind of systems they put in the cloud.  Non-core applications such as messaging and secondary storage are obvious candidates; mission-critical decision applications, not so much.

There are interesting exceptions.  In Houston, with the threat of hurricanes and other natural disasters always looming, many of our clients are recognizing that one of the more compelling use cases for the cloud is to support business continuity and disaster recovery.  The virtual and geographically distributed nature of the cloud model increases redundancy, making it ‘a natural’ to play a role backing up and restoring critical services.  

Our past event this summer focused on disaster recovery; our partners, iLand Cloud Infrastructure promoted the cloud as a solid and very cost-effective option for both larger, highly-distributed enterprise customers and smaller businesses that previously may have gone without an adequate disaster recovery solution.

Many business are seizing the opportunity to use the cloud, and discovering that it can definitely function as a cheaper alternative to more standard back-up solutions.  What do you think?  Would you trust the cloud for disaster recovery?

Want to know more?  Visit our website or call 866-370-7142 and let our cloud consultants find a cloud solution that is tailored to fit your business needs.

~ IS Support

Houston Texans and Cloud Computing

Since our headquarters are in Houston, we like to think of the Texans as our "hometown team," despite the fact that we have Cowboys, Bills, Patriots, and even a Lion's fan frequenting our office.

Last Sunday saw the Texans smash the Tennessee Titans 41-7, to start the season at a 4-3 record.  With Texans fans hungry for a winning season and playoff success, we think that the Houston Texans could apply some cloud computing principals in an alternate universe for more success.

Here are a few benefits of the cloud that could help the Houston Texans as they push for a playoff spot. [editor's note: I am not claiming any of these are rational and/or possible]


1. Reduced Costs  

Cloud computing reduces overall IT costs such as hardware, software and networking management.  In addition, cloud computing offers a pay-as-you-go scale.

With the current NFL salary cap at $120 million dollars, wouldn't the Texans love to save money with the cloud?  I would say, start with WR Jacoby Jones, who's $10 million contract isn't living up to the production (1 TD in 6 games is making is hard for some fans to justify the cost).

2. Disaster Recovery 

Houston is the best at recognizing the importance of having company data stored in the cloud, rather than a server room where hurricanes, fires or power loss can ruin your business's productivity or even worse, lose your memory.  Having a solid backup recovery in the event of a disaster is crucial to your business.


Similarly in the NFL, injuries are a part of the game but it doesn't hurt to have a great disaster recovery plan.  When RB Arian Foster missed two of the Texans first three games, Ben Tate stepped in and filled in admirably as the Texans went 2-1.  With Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson still out with an injured hamstring, the Texans probably wish they had a similar disaster recovery option at receiver, going 1-2 since Johnson's injury.   Too add another problem, star LB Mario Williams will miss the rest of the season...who will be the backup plan?

3. Remote Access and Mobility 
With the cloud employees, partners and clients can access and update information and files wherever they are.  In today's business environment, staying in communication and in control of responsibilities is vital for employees and with cloud computing, they can access all the information needed to stay efficient and effective away from the office.

The Texans road win at Tennessee was their second road win of the season, but it's interesting to note that Coach Kubiak's road record is currently 14-29 as the Texan's coach.  Imagine a cloud computing environment, where Matt Schaub's passes were just as crisp and accurate in Indianapolis, as in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium.  Imagine a team that was unfazed by the crowd at Pittsburgh or Baltimore.  When you migrate your systems to cloud computing, it's like having home field advantage anywhere.

With the unofficial midway point at the NFL season, Houston will be alive and electric, hoping for the Texans to make the final push for their first ever playoff appearance.  The fans here at IS Support wish them luck and maybe even remember to apply some "cloud" principles into their team strategy.

Since it's unlikely we will get a call from Coach Kubiak, we'd like to help your business apply cloud computing to your advantage.  If you're interested in how the cloud can help your company grow, please visit our website or call 866-370-7142.

IS Support -- Who We Are

We could tell you, but we'd rather show you!




Special thanks to DataSphere for the great video production!

Assessing Cloud Computing

If you're a company considering migrating to the cloud, your analysis should move beyond the obvious factors such as cost reduction, security and a flexible and scalable infrastructure. Many are also discovering that cloud computing can help them gain speed, increase mobility and be more innovative.

Many IT leaders are also comparing other factors that correlate with cloud adoptions, such as dedicated vs elastic resources; days to provisioning vs instant provisioning; and long-term contracts vs pay-per-use. Such aspects have convinced many businesses to move to the cloud, which signals not only a desire to improve systems and infrastructure, but in a uncertain economic climate, establish necessary technological building blocks for the future.

In particular, SMBs (small to medium sized businesses) are many of the largest beneficiaries of cloud services, since they are void of the legacy systems that often inhibit the adoption of cloud services for large companies.  Many find the platform, infrastructure and software as a way to both enhance their technology and utilize IT as a service, with lower costs.


If would would like to learn more about how cloud computing can help your business in the ways mentioned, IS Support is offering a free analysis of your current infrastructure and ways that you can utilize private, public or hybrid versions of the cloud to personalize a system that works for you.

Call 866-370-7142 or visit our website!

Concerns over Cloud Security Decreasing

A fascinating chart from Health Works Collective last week highlights a three year decrease in SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) in concerns about security in an outsourced cloud.

While there are many reasons for these decreases, the trends clearly show that many SMBs are trusting the outsourced cloud more than they previously did three years ago.

Why? Statistics also reveal that outsourcing to an experienced IT vendor actually leads to higher levels of security - not the opposite.



Without the budget or resources to maintain an in-house IT staff, the cloud provides an option that enables business to use their resources elsewhere. 

With concerns about security, private cloud computing allows SMBs a "one-tenant" only environment with better control over sensitive data.  This eliminates the potential of other businesses to infect files in a shared environment.

While security is still a significant concern among SMBs, it is refreshing to see that many of the concerns are dissipating as the cloud is rolling out to more and more SMBs.

Do you have questions about the cloud? Are you interested in utilizing a private cloud environment for your business?  Contact our professional cloud consultants anytime! We would be happy to work together with you to build a personalized cloud environment that fits your business needs. 

Call 866-370-7142 or visit our website to learn more



Letter to the CFO: Is Vitualization Worth the Cost?

A recent discussion from Linkedin reads like this:

"Dear CFO,

Please understand that a virtual desktop infrastructure is not about saving money the same way we did, when we virtualized our servers."

So is virtualization worth the cost?  Our short answer: Yes, but only if done right.  While the VDI solution by itself, may not justify the costs, the added flexibility and agility could be worth the solution depending on your company's goal. 

However, a viable option would be to connect the VDI with a Citrix XenApp.  By providing both the flexibility and agility, then virtualization could be "worth the cost."

In addtion with the flexibilty to connect with different devices, using Wyse terminals can greatly increase the ROI on VDI solutions. 


Does this sound confusing?  Are you intrigued and want to learn more but don't quite understand?  Our technicians and IT professionals can answer these and all your questions with just a call (866-370-7142) or visit our website

Cloud Outages - What People are Saying

The recent Microsoft and Google Cloud outages recently, have people chatting about the cloud on different blogs, groups, and LinkedIn. 

We came across an interesting discussion and thought we'd share and get your thoughts on today's blog post.  [NOTICE: All posts are confidential and users comments and anonymity are protected]

These are just a few of the comments of the conversation going on.  What are your thoughts?  We'd love to hear them.  Comment below or contact us on our website: http://www.issupport.com/

The Cloud on CNN!

Some of the Cloud leaders top experts weight in on what direction cloud computing is heading on CNN. Enjoy!



And remember, if you want utilize this growing technology, our consultants will work WITH you to find cloud solutions that are personalized best for your business! Contact us at 866-370-7142 or visit www.issupport.com.

Using the Cloud Effectively!

A great video by VMware shows how to effectively use the cloud. Enjoy!